Aerosol can filler

Abstract

 AN aerosol dispenser filling apparatus in which a liquid, such as paint, containing cylinder (24) is removably mounted above an aerosol can receiving position above the cylinder into the cylinder which has an upper flared extremity (26) to guide the piston into the cylinder. The aerosol can (46) is connected to the bottom of the cylinder so that the liquid is forced from the cylinder into the can.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to apparatus for filling aerosol dispensers.

[0002] A hand operated aerosol dispenser or can filling apparatus is described in GB Patent No. 1,103,083. This apparatus comprises a cylinder into which a liner is placed. The liner has an upper container portion, a central piston receiving portion and a lower aerosol valve receiving portion. The apparatus has a frame with a base for supporting an aerosol can with its protruding valve uppermost and a recessed bracket above the base to receive the cylinder. Pivotally mounted to the frame is an arm having a handle which engages with a piston. The piston is arranged to fit into the liner and cooperate with the central piston receiving portion to pump liquid from the upper container portion through the aerosol can valve into the can. When the can is filled the liner is usually thrown away. The liner is made of translucent plastics so that its content level when in the cylinder can be viewed through a window in the cylinder.

[0003] Whilst the above known apparatus is easy to operate and suitable for filling small numbers of cans, when large numbers of cans have to be filled removal and disposal of liners which necessitates removal of the piston and disconnection of the piston from the operating arm is time consuming, can be messy and requires new liners to be constantly available.

[0004] A further aerosol can filler is described in GB Patent No. 1260264. This has a power actuated piston which works in a paint receiving cylinder. The piston operates from an upper position which is within the cylinder so that the cylinder is awkward to fit and is normally left in the apparatus after filling a can. This makes it troublesome to clean and furthermor there are problems with ensuring accurate entry of the piston into lower part of the cylinder.

[0005] An aerosol dispenser filling apparatus according to the invention comprises a cylinder having a lower aerosol can valve engaging portion, the cylinder being removably mounted to a part of the apparatus above an aerosol can receiving position, a piston mounted in the apparatus and means to actuate the piston for movement within the cylinder to force liquid within the cylinder through a valve of aerosol can mounted to the valve engaging portion characterised in that the piston is mounted for movement from a position outside and above the cylinder when mounted in the apparatus and in that the cylinder has an upper open flared extremity to guide the piston into the cylinder.

[0006] In the apparatus according to the invention the cylinder does not require a liner since the piston engages directly with the cylinder wall and it is a simple operation to fit the can and cylinder together, fill the cylinder which can if required be weighed together to check the cylinder contents. The cylinder and can together are then slid into the apparatus and suitably by means of a powered activator means the piston is lowered into the cylinder to force the liquid contents of the cylinder into the can.

[0007] Preferably the valve engaging portion of the cylinder is threaded to engage around a periphery of the aerosol can valve. This enables the can to be locatable off the base of the apparatus to allow for different can sizes to be accommodated within the apparatus. An adjustable base can be provided in the apparatus for seating the cans so that load is taken from the threaded connection between the cylinder and can valve.

[0008] Preferably the cylinder has a recessed portion or circumferential groove at its lower end to engage with a recess in a support part of the apparatus. The cylinder may have a drip receiving circumferential extension above the recessed portion.

[0009] In order to obtain a good liquid tight seating between the cylinder and aerosol valve a cylindrical protrusion may be provided in the lower part of the cylinder which is adapted to fit within the outlet aperture of the aerosol valve, the cylindrical protrusion having a central conduit connecting the cylinder to the can.

[0010] To prevent the piston entering the cylinder before it is in place an interlock device may be provided in an actuation circuit. In order to prevent spillage or accidents the cylinder and can positions in the apparatus may be enclosed with an entry door. This door may have a further interlock to prevent actuation taking place before the door is closed.

[0011] An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows an aerosol dispenser fitting apparatus according to the invention,

Figure 2 is an enlarged cross sectional view of a part of the apparatus of Figure 1 showing cylinder, piston and aerosol can head relationship, and

Figure 3 is an enlarged cross sectional view of a part of the apparatus shown in Figure 2 showing the engagement of cylinder and aerosol can head.

[0012] In Figure 1 aerosol dispenser or can filling apparatus is shown having an enclosing casing or cabinet removed but indicated by broken lines 2. The casing has a door (not shown) giving access to the interior below a top plate 4.

[0013] The apparatus has a frame formed from top plate 4, a central plate 6 and a base plate 8 held together by spacer tubes 10 and 12. The plates are secured by nuts 14 threaded to the bars 12.

[0014] Mounted to top plate 4 is a pneumatic actuator motor 16 which drives a piston rod 18 to which is attached a piston 20.

[0015] Below piston 20 a cylinder 24 into which piston 20 can descend is removably mounted in a slot 22 in plate 6. The cylinder 24 has an upper open flared extremity 26 which guides the piston into the cylinder. The cylinder 26 has a base portion 28 which is recessed by providing a circumferential groove 30 (see Figure 2) and a drip receiving circumferential extension 32 having an upwardly facing drip trough 34.

[0016] A valve engaging portion 36 of the cylinder is shown in more detail in Figure 3.

[0017] On the lower surface 38 of bottom portion 36 a central hole 40 is threaded at 42 to engage with an extension 43 of a valve 44 of aerosol dispenser can 46. Below extension 43 is a spring loaded valve member 48 sealing onto a seating 50. Within hole 40 is a cylindrical protrusion 52 of a member 54 screwed into base portion 28. A central conduit 56 communicates from the interior 58 of the cylinder 24 to the valve duct 60 of the can 46 and thence to the interior 62 of the can. The bottom portion 36 has a cylindrical surface 64 which fits snugly into a recess 66 of the can 46. The recess 66 is defined by a cylindrical inner wall 68 and a base 70.

[0018] Due to the engaging arrangements between the base of the cylinder and the can it is not necessary to support the can base 76 on base plate 8 but a suitable jacking device could be provided if necessary.

[0019] Interlock switches 78 and 80 can be provided in the actuator motor circuit to prevent operation of the motor of the door of the cabinet is not closed or if the cylinder 24 is not fully home in its slot 22.

[0020] In order to operate the apparatus, a cylinder 24 is screwed to an aerosol can 46 and paint or whatever other liquid is required is poured into the open end of the cylinder. The cylinder with can may be weighed before and after filling to ensure the correct quantity in the cylinder. This allows formulations to be weighed directly into the cylinder. The cylinder with can is then placed in slot 22 and the cabinet door closed. The actuator is then turned on and the piston 20 descends into the cylinder to force the liquid from the cylinder to the can through valve 44 into can 46. At the bottom of its stroke an indicator signal indicates the completion of the cycle and a suitable switch stops the actuator and reverses the piston direction to raise the piston clear of the cylinder.

[0021] After a batch of cans has been filled or a different colour is to be used all parts are thoroughly cleaned.

Claims

1. An aerosol dispenser filling apparatus comprising a cylinder (24) having a lower aerosol can valve engaging portion (36), the cylinder being removably mounted to a part (6) of the apparatus above an aerosol can receiving position, a piston (20) mounted in the apparatus and means (16) to actuate the piston for movement within the cylinder to force liquid within the cylinder through a valve (44) of an aerosol can (46) mounted to the valve engaging portion characterised in that the piston is mounted for movement from a position outside and above the cylinder when mounted in the apparatus and in that the cylinder has an upper open flared extremity (26) to guide the piston into the cylinder.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the valve engaging portion (36) is threaded (42) to engage around a periphery of the aerosol can valve.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein a jacking device is provided on a base (8) of the apparatus for adjustably seating aerosol cans in the apparatus.

4. An apparatus as claims in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the cylinder has a recessed portion (30) at its lower end (28) to engage with a recess (22) in a central part (6) of the apparatus.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the cylinder has a circumferential extension (32) above the recessed portion (30), the extension having an annular upwardly facing drip trough (34).

6. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the aerosol can valve engaging portion (36) has a cylindrical protrusion (52) within a hole (40) in the engaging portion, the protrusion having a central conduit (56) for communicating from the interior (58) of the cylinder to a valve duct (60) of an aerosol can (46) fitted into the apparatus.

7. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the means (16) to actuate the piston comprises a power driven actuator having an interlock switch (78) so arranged as to detect if the cylinder is fully home in the apparatus and to prevent actuation of the piston in the event of the cylinder not being fully home.

8. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the means (16) to actuate the piston comprises a power driven actuator and wherein a cabinet having a door is provided to enclose the cylinder and can when mounted in the apparatus, an interlock switch (80) being mounted to the cabinet to prevent actuation of the piston in the event of the door not being closed.

Drawing